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NEW ORLEANS (WGNO) – Five French Quarter strip clubs and bars were ordered to stop selling alcohol and tobacco products immediately after an investigation revealed prostitution, illegal drug activities, and improper acts, the Louisiana Alcohol and Tobacco Control announced Tuesday.

Centerfolds, Lipstixx, The Mansion on Bourbon, Chez Joey, and Dixie Divas were all issued emergency suspensions.

strip club violations

A tip from the New Orleans Police Department’s 8th District sparked the month-long investigation was called, “Operation Trick or Treat,” where more than a dozen complaints were investigated and processed by the state police crime lab.

“Public safety in the city of New Orleans continues to be a priority for law enforcement partners at all levels of government,” said Colonel Mike Edmonson, State Police Superintendent.  “Our focus remains on illegal guns, drugs and fugitives as these factors directly contribute to the violence that we are all working diligently to stop.”

“ATC is keeping a close eye on what’s going on in the French Quarter,” stated ATC Commissioner Troy Hebert. “This kind of illegal activity poses a concern for public safety and will not be tolerated.”

Troy wants the citizens and visitors of New Orleans to remember that the French Quarter is the gem of our city, it is not a one stop shop for crime. As most crime in New Orleans is violent and involves weapons, the commissioner and Colenel consider drugs the gateway to that violent behavior. In the last 7 months 1.3 million dollars in value from drug seizures has been obtained and they plan to continue the action to keep the French Quarter free of crime.